Legislation and the programs operated under that legislation for federal support of constructing new and modernizing existing hospitals and other health facilities, beginning with Public Law 79-725, the Hospital Survey and Construction Act of 1946. The original law, which has been amended, provided for surveying state needs, developing plans for construction of hospitals and public health centers, and assisting in construction and equipping them in exchange for the hospitals’ commitment to give free or discounted fees for services to individuals who cannot afford treatment. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued regulations that established standards for uncompensated care. It stated that care given to Medicare and Medicaid patients was not considered uncompensated care. Until the late 1960s, most of the amendments expanded the program in dollar amounts and scope. The administration has attempted to terminate the program, while Congress has tried to restructure it toward support of outpatient facilities, facilities to serve areas deficient in health services, and training facilities for health and allied health professions. The purpose of the existing Hill-Burton program was modified by Public Law 93-641 to allow assistance in the form of grants, loans, or loan guarantees for the following purposes: modernization of health facilities; construction of outpatient health facilities; construction of inpatient facilities in areas that have experienced rapid population growth; and conversion of existing medical facilities for the provision of new health services.